Check Your Lists

The following self-assessment scales are meant for general information purposes only and are not designed as accurate diagnostic criteria. If you have a concern that you may be experiencing one of these conditions, contact UFSAP or your primary care physician.

List 1: Individual Stress Responses

Psychological
Concentration problems, indecision, forgetfulness
Sensitivity to criticism or self-critical thoughts
Rigid attitudes

Emotional
Nervousness, tension
Irritability, anger, hostility
Sadness, guilt, shame
Moodiness, loneliness or jealousy

Physiological
Increased heart rate & blood pressure
Rapid or irregular breathing
Muscle tension
Sweating or dry mouth
Immune system slows down (frequent illness)

Behavioral
Shaky voice or jumpiness
Accident proneness
Difficulty sleeping
Overeating or loss of appetite
Attempts to escape stressor
Violent response

Spiritual
Cynicism, alienation, pessimism

If you are bothered by these stress indicators despite your attempts to control them, you may need to learn more about stress and stress management options such as exercise, relaxation and mindfulness, how to work with negative thinking, conflict management or other personal and interpersonal skills. Consult UFSAP to learn more.

List 2: Alcohol Abuse Assessment

Alcohol abuse causes over 100,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. You have an alcohol problem if your use interferes with your health or activities of daily living. You develop alcoholism if you become physically or psychologically dependent on alcohol.

Symptoms of an alcohol problem include personality changes, blackouts (periods of memory loss), drinking more and more for the same "high" and denial of the problem. A person with an alcohol problem may gulp or sneak drinks, or drink alone or early in the morning. Alcohol abuse patterns vary. Some people get drunk every day. Some drink large amounts of alcohol at specific times and do not drink at all at other times.

If you have questions or concerns about your use, answer the following questions. Then, feel free to follow up with a call to UFSAP for further information.

1.	Do you use alcohol?	(Circle one)
	Yes	1
	No	2
2.	How many drinks of alcoholic beverages do you have in a typical week?
	Less than one drink	1
	1-7 drinks	2
	8-14 drinks	3
	15-21 drinks	4
	22 or more drinks	5
	One drink is:
	1 glass of wine (5 o.z)
	1 can or bottle of beer (12 oz. )
	1 mixed drink or shot of liquor
3.	Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
	Yes	1
	No	2
4.	Have people ever annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
	Yes	1
	No	2
5.	Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
	Yes	1
	No	2
6.	Have you ever taken a drink first thing in the morning to get rid of a hangover or to steady your nerves?
	Yes	1
	No	2
7.	How many times in the past month have you had 5 or more drinks at one setting?
	Zero times	1
	One or more	2
8.	Do you want help to cut down on your drinking?
	Yes	1
	No	2
9.	Circle the number that best matches your plans about drinking alcohol?
	I have no plans to cut down on how much I drink in the next six months	1
	I am thinking of cutting down in the next six months	2
	I am making plans to cut down on my drinking in the next 30 days	3

If you answered "yes" to question one, you are part of a large group of Americans over the age of 21 (twenty-one) who consume alcohol.

With regard to question 2, the general recommendation for safe consumption of alcohol is 2 drinks or less per day. If you average more than 14 drinks per week you may be at risk for abuse of alcohol.

Questions 3,4,5 and 6 combine into a screening instrument called the CAGE. One "yes" answer on these questions indicates a possible abuse problem. 2 "yes" answers indicate a high probability of abuse.

Question 7. Anytime you have more than 5 drinks at one session, it is considered a binge.

If you answered "yes" to question 8 but are not clear about your answer to 9, call UFSAP and discuss your situation with us.

List 3: Depression Assessment

Depression is a complex medical disorder that can occur as a result of a number of factors. Stress, loss of a loved one, life changes, illness, certain medications, family history of depression or substance abuse can contribute to changes in the body that lead to depression.

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that nearly 19 million Americans over the age of 18 suffer from depression. It also can affect adolescents and children. Depression is often not recognized in its victims or is recognized only after the disorder has caused serious damage to the individual’s life. It is often mistaken for other disorders or for problems such as “bad attitude” or “lack of motivation.” Depression can actually contribute to worsening of physical problems that are then treated, often without treating the underlying depression. Accurate diagnosis by a mental health professional, psychiatrist or skilled primary care physician is important. Use the following questionnaire to begin to assess if you are experiencing symptoms of depression.

1. Have you been in a depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day for at least two weeks?
2. Have you lost interest or pleasure in most daily activities, nearly every day for at least two weeks?
3. Has your appetite changed (increased or decreased)?
4. Have you felt tired or experienced a loss of energy during the day, nearly every day for at least two weeks?
5. Have you had guilty feelings or feelings of worthlessness nearly every day for at least two weeks?
6. Have you had difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions nearly every day?

If you answered "yes" to questions one or two and/or more than two of the other questions, you should contact UFSAP or your primary care physician for a follow up assessment. Depression is a treatable disorder through counseling, medication or both. Your OSU health plan will assist with the cost of treatment as outlined in your policy.